Patient Information

Initial Visit:

The purpose of the initial visit is to obtain a detailed history, physical examination, and preliminary allergy testing necessary to establish whether allergic or immunologic disease exists and whether therapy is indicated.  Please bring your completed allergy questionnaire.  If skin testing is indicated, the initial appointment may take up to two hours.  The mechanics of an evaluation will be discussed and a course of treatment or further testing outlined.

Skin tests:

Skin tests are performed to determine if and to what you are allergic.  Skin testing remains the most rapid, sensitive and reliable method of making this determination.  After a screening series of tests, other tests may or may not be done; the number will vary from person to person.  Tests may be done on the arm or back, and the results are determined in 20 minutes.  Both types of tests are relatively painless.  ANTIHISTAMINES INTERFERE WITH TESTING AND MUST NOT BE TAKEN FOR AT LEAST 72 HOURS BEFORE TESTING.  CLARINEX, ASTELIN, ASTEPRO, XYZAL, AND PATANASE SHOULD BE AVOIDED FOR 6 DAYS PRIOR TO TESTING. Should your symptoms be so severe that you absolutely need these medicines, please keep your appointment but know that testing may not be done.  A blood test for allergy (RAST), although rarely done, is available.

Allergy injections:

Immunotherapy, also known as hyposensitization or desensitization, may be recommended for you.  The usual schedule is to begin at a low dose at regular intervals and build up to a maintenance dose.  Then, depending on your symptoms, the injection interval may be lengthened.  The length of the injection program varies.  You may receive these injections in this office, or we can send your vaccine (which you purchase) back to your personal physician to administer.  Injections will only be given when there is a physician in the office.  We cannot take responsibility for injections given without physician supervision.

Primary Physician:

It is essential that each patient have a Primary Care Physician to care for needs other than allergy or asthma, and for assistance should we be unavailable for some reason.

Telephone calls:

Non-emergency phone messages will be accumulated and the calls returned periodically throughout the day.  It is unfair to scheduled office patients to be interrupted other than for emergencies.  Please have the names of your medications handy, and a pencil and paper with which to take notes when we return your call.  If you become ill during office hours, please notify us as early in the day as possible, and we can work you in.  If emergencies cannot be handled over the phone, call 911 or go directly to the nearest emergency room.

Prescription refills:

Prescription refills can be obtained by calling your pharmacy.  They will fill the prescription or contact this office for authorization, if necessary.  Prescription refills requiring our authorization will be reviewed only during office hours so that your chart may be reviewed.  We will not authorize refills after office hours, nor for patients we have not seen in a reasonable length of time, or for drugs outside our specialty.

General information:

Advise the front office when you sign in of any changes of address, phone number, insurance, etc…, that may have occurred since your last visit.  Our office is designed to be as allergen free as possible.  No smoking is allowed! Please do not wear perfumes, cologne, etc., that may be irritating to other patients.  Please no food or drink.  Our waiting room seating is somewhat limited, and we request that you try to limit children, friends, and relatives from accompanying your to the office.  We welcome suggestions you may have to improve our services to you.  We will continue to offer you the best and highest standard of care in the management of your allergy and immunology problems.